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With Bengals' Win, Jets' Playoff Odds Get Longer

Dec. 14, 2012 7:38 p.m. ET

Since they're playing in the last of this week's slate of NFL games—Monday night in Nashville against the Tennessee Titans—the Jets won't have to do any scoreboard-watching while they play in prime time. They'll know exactly where they are in the AFC playoff standings. After Thursday night, their mission has become clearer, and more difficult.

With their victory over the Eagles, the Bengals improved to 8-6, moving themselves 1½ games ahead of the Jets, who are 6-7 and clinging to the hope that they can win their final three...